A Dust-Borne Fungal Disease Is on the Rise as California Faces Worsening Drought

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Key Takeaways Valley fever is a lung infection caused by the Coccidioides fungus, often found in the soil of Arizona and California.

Cases of Valley fever are increasing due to climate change and drought.

While most people recover without treatment, severe cases can lead to long-term lung problems or other serious complications.

Dozens of people got sick from Valley fever after attending a California music festival this summer, and at least eight were hospitalized. Health officials in California warn that the risk of Valley fever—a fungal infection—will continue into early fall.

Valley fever (coccidioidomycosis) isn't only limited to California. This lung infection is caused by Coccidioides, a fungus that can be found in the soil of the Pacific Northwest, the southwestern United States, and some parts of Latin America.

Around 10,000 Valley fever cases are reported in the U.S. each year. Most of the cases are reported in Arizona while 30% are in California.

In recent years, Valley fever cases have risen in the southwestern U.S. partially due to climate change and droughts. Coccidioides can survive in hot, dry conditions, and people can get infected after inhaling spores from the fungus that live in the soil.

Many people with Valley fever won't realize they have the infection because they either have no symptoms or believe their symptoms are caused by a different respiratory disease.

“The numbers that have been discovered around this particular music festival almost certainly are an underestimate of all those that are out there, because a lot of people most likely had an illness which you couldn't tell from influenza or some other respiratory infection, and just weren't tested and eventually got over it on their own,” said John Galgiani, MD, director of the Valley Fever Center for Excellence at the University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson.

What Are the Symptoms of Valley Fever? It can take one to three weeks to develop Valley fever symptoms after breathing in the Coccidioides spores. Common symptoms include fatigue, cough, headache, shortness of breath, night sweats, muscle aches, or rashes on the legs and upper body.

This disease is not contagious, and many people recover without needing treatment, but those who develop symptoms can feel sick for weeks or months. However, up to 10% of Valley fever infections lead to long-term lung problems, and about 1% turn into bone, skin, or brain infections like meningitis.

"Knowing about this disease is probably the best defense," Galgiani said.

Healthcare providers primarily use blood or skin tests to determine if someone has Valley fever. These tests take a few days to show results. In some cases, additional tests like an X-ray, CT scan, or a respiratory fluid test are needed.

How Can You Avoid Valley Fever? While the Coccidioides fungus is mainly found in Arizona and California, it has spread north to Washington State.

People who live in these areas are most susceptible to Valley fever. Older adults, immunocompromised people, and pregnant people may be at a higher risk for developing a severe form of the infection.

"The best way to avoid it is don't go to an area where you find it," Timothy Brewer, MD, MPH, a professor of medicine and epidemiology at the University of California, Los Angeles, told Verywell.

People who live in areas with the fungus can reduce their risk by staying inside on hot, dusty, and windy days or wearing an N95 mask or respirator, Brewer said.

It only takes breathing in one spore to get sick, and there's currently no Valley fever vaccine. Antifungal treatments are available for people at risk for severe infections. Many people fully recover from Valley fever without medications and likely won't get the infection again.

"Don't panic because of the reports about the outbreak. This has been around forever, and will continue to be around," Brewer said. "Just be sensible if you do develop fever, cough, and you're concerned about whether or not you have Valley fever, go see your healthcare provider, and there are certainly very good tests to try to sort this all out."

What This Means For You If you live in or travel to areas where Valley fever is common, be mindful of the risks. On hot, dusty, or windy days, stay indoors or wear an N95 mask to protect yourself from inhaling fungal spores. If you experience lingering respiratory symptoms after visiting these areas, consult a healthcare provider for testing.

Read the original article on Verywell Health.

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